Chelsey Krause's Blog, page 3

For All of you Hopeful, Newbie Writers Out There…

Last night I watched the movie, “Julie & Julia” for the second time. I haven’t watched it since I wrote my first book. Ladies and gents, if you are writing a book, of if you’re looking to have your book published, or even just have an idea for a book rolling around in your head, please watch this movie. It will resonate to your core!

I didn’t remember how much of it was about being published! About being a writer!

I loooooved it. I spent much of the movie teary eyed. And it wasn’t because it was largely about cooking (which I love), French food (which I also love), or living in Paris (where I dream of living).

Many of the lines were like an arrow to the heart! Lines like, “You know, I think I’d like to write a book.”

Or, “I didn’t know that writing a book would be this hard,” (Julia Child worked for 8 years on “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” before it was anywhere near ready).

Or that thrilling first phone call from an editor, saying, “We’re interested in publishing your book.”

I’d wake up my husband, who was sleeping beside me in bed (I think he fell asleep during the first 15 minutes of the movie), and say, “AHH! Did you just hear that? I TOTALLY get it! I know exactly what that feels like.”

This movie reminded me of why I write. It reminded me to not give up, even when (or especially when) it feels hard. To keep writing, even when it feels like no one is listening (err, reading). To smile and carry on when people are negative, or obstacles come up.

It’s a movie about perseverance, about following a dream and not giving up.

AHHH! So inspiring.

So, dear readers, please go out and watch this movie (it’s on Netflix, if that helps). And even if all you do afterward is eat eggs with Hollandaise sauce or maybe a slice of chocolate cream pie (which I totally plan on doing), it’s soooo worth it.

Do you have a dream? If so, what are you going to do about it?

– Chelsey

Surprising Places to Meet Hot Guys

So I’ve been thinking about doing this post for a while. Mostly because I think it’ll give me some great ideas for future books. Also, because it’s a fun subject

Because I write chick lit (which is basically romantic comedy in written form), I’m always trying to come up with new ideas for how the hero and heroine meet.

Certain places are hot beds for good looking, confident, ripped, well dressed, single guys. (Admit it ladies. We all want this). Sports bars, sporting events, the gym, concerts, etc.

But, from a writing perspective, these options are sort of boring. At least to me, anyway. I’ve already read that story. Give me something new and interesting!

So, what I want from you, my lovely fan base, is to answer this question:

Where would you be surprised to meet a nice, single, smoking hot man?

The first place that comes to my mind is the library.

I’ve seen plenty of cute girls at the library, but seeing a good looking man quietly studying or wandering through the aisles of books is a rare sight indeed. And I should know. I’m at the library like, 2-3x a week.

(Note: Guys, if you’re looking for a girl, stay away from bars. Go to the library. The young ladies there won’t believe their luck.)

The next place I can think of is the grocery store. In fact, I loved this idea so much that I put a grocery shopping/pick up scene in my first book.

Imagine this: You’re in the frozen foods section, staring at a bag of peas, looking bored. And then along comes Mr. Tanned and Gorgeous. He smiles at you. You smile back.

Grocery shopping just got a whole lot more interesting.

See? Isn’t this fun!?!?

I believe that it’s possible to meet an attractive, interesting person anywhere. I met my husband on a blind date. I never expected to be married to him eight months later. You just never know.

You could potentially meet the love of your life at a gas station.

No? How about the gas station bathroom? (Eww – not sure about that one).

The post office?

The pet store? (nothing cuter than a man playing with a puppy)

The doctor’s office waiting room? (Oooh. That could be a good one. Imagine the heroine peeking over her magazine, checking out the handsome stranger sitting across from her. She’ll think, “Hmm. He looks healthy. I wonder what he’s doing here. Oh God. Maybe he has syphilis or something. Please don’t let him have syphilis.”)

So let’s hear your ideas! What other places can you think of? Maybe you have a cool “how we met” story to share? I’d love to hear from you!

–          Chelsey